Bystanders rushed to help the 33-year-old man on Wednesday afternoon at Stockton Beach in Port Stephens,but he died on the beach.
Three others pulled from the water at the same time were treated by paramedics and two were taken to hospital,including a woman in a critical condition.
The incident was the latest in a string of tragedies across the state,including a teenager now missing for more than 24 hours after he vanished in a rip and a young father who drowned in Penrith.
The search for Khattab Abu Haish,a 19-year-old who disappeared after jumping into South Coast surf on Boxing Day,will recommence on Thursday morning.
Haish was at Congo Beach near Moruya when he spotted one of his family members struggling in the surf. After rescuing them from danger he was sucked into a rip and swept out to sea.
Left,missing swimmer Khattab Abu Haish,and right,Seti Tuaopepe,who drowned at Penrith Beach on Boxing Day.Facebook
Relatives took to social media to identify the former Ashfield Boys High student as the missing swimmer.
In Sydney,Penrith Beach was closed on Wednesday out of respect for the family of Seti Tuaopepe,a 35-year-old father who drowned after falling into the water from a paddleboard on Boxing Day.
He drowned while trying to “save his kids”,according to a family fundraiser set up to support his surviving wife and children. “Seti was a dedicated father and husband who would sacrifice all for his family,” a relative wrote.
Acting Premier Prue Car said the death appeared to be a tragic accident,and there “wasn’t a question of whether it was safe at the beach or not”.
Penrith Beach was closed on Wednesday.Kate Geraghty
“Tragically at this time of year we do see accidents,but we will make sure that every single safety precaution is followed at the Penrith Beach and all other swimming spots that we have responsibility for,” she said.
Car said she would like to see more swimming lessons available to prepare multicultural and migrant communities for the dangers of waterways.
“I think that as a community,we need to definitely be looking at ways for communities right across the state,particularly western Sydney,can access swimming lessons so that the community is safe when they want to go and have a splash in a new beach,” she said.
It is expected the beach,also known as Pondi,will reopen on Thursday.
Western Sydney's new inland beach will remain closed after a man drowned in the water on Boxing Day.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Planning and Environment said there were no immediate plans to change safety protocols at the beach,which only opened to the public last week.
“The Penrith Beach operations plan was developed following a detailed risk assessment in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society,who are providing two lifeguards in the early morning and late afternoon,with four on duty in the peak period in the middle of the day to allow for rest breaks. First aid equipment is available onsite,” the spokeswoman said.
Tragedy also struck two families in separate incidents at Central Coast beaches on Christmas Day.
A surfer in distress was dragged from the waves by lifesavers at Umina Beach,but he could not be revived,while a man in his 70s was rescued,but later pronounced dead,at Copacabana Beach. Police said early indications suggested both suffered medical episodes.
Another man remains in hospital in a critical condition after he was pulled from the water unresponsive at Wollumboola Lake at Culburra Beach,near Nowra,on Christmas Eve.
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